Plug connector having a latch retention assist member

ABSTRACT

A plug connector includes a housing holding plug contacts at a mating end for mating with a mating connector. The plug connector includes a latch received in a latch pocket and movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch has a main body and a latch beam extending from the main body. The latch beam includes a latch hook configured to be received in a latch opening of the mating connector in the latched position to secure the plug connector to the mating connector. The plug connector includes a retention assist member engaging the latch having a main body and a ram extending therefrom with a latch retention support positioned rearward of the latch beam. A biasing member drives the retention assist member in a biasing direction into the latch to hold the latch hook in the latching position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter herein relates generally to plug connectors.

Electrical connectors provide communicative interfaces betweenelectrical components to transmit power and/or signals therethrough. Forexample, the electrical connectors may be used within telecommunicationequipment, servers, and data storage or transport devices. When twoelectrical connectors are mated together during operation, one or bothof the connectors may experience twisting forces or axial forces thatpull the connectors away from each other. Typical electrical connectorsinclude latching mechanisms configured to maintain the two connectors inthe mated position to retain the communicative pathway through theconnectors.

However, known latching mechanisms are not without disadvantages. Forinstance, some known latch designs have low connector to plug retentionstrength. The latches are subject to failure or breaking due toexcessive force applied to the latch. The latches may becomeinadvertently unlatched, such as when the cable of the receptacleconnector is pulled rearward, overcoming the retention force of thelatch. Some known latches utilize a return spring to provide a returnforce to return the latch to a latched position and resist unintentionalde-latching. However, with some known connectors, the return force maybe high, leading to users encountering difficulties in overcoming thespring force to release the latch. Additionally, with latches thatutilize a pull tab to actuate the latch, pulling rearward on the latchtends to pull the hook rearward against the corresponding latchingcomponent, causing the latch to bind against the latching component andthus increasing the de-latching force needed to move the latch to thereleased position.

A need remains for a cost effective and reliable latching system for aplug connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment, a plug connector is provided. The plug connectorincludes a housing having a front and a rear. The housing has a firstend and a second end opposite the first end extending between the frontand the rear. The housing has a first side and a second side oppositethe first side extending between the front and the rear. The housing hasa mating end at the front for mating with a mating connector. Thehousing has a latch pocket at the first end. The plug connector includesplug contacts held by the housing. The plug contacts are providedproximate to the mating end for mating with the mating connector. Theplug connector includes a latch received in the latch pocket and movablebetween a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch has amain body and a latch beam extending from the main body. The latch beamincludes a latch hook configured to be received in a latch opening ofthe mating connector in the latched position to secure the plugconnector to the mating connector. The plug connector includes aretention assist member received in the latch pocket and configured toengage the latch. The retention assist member includes a main body and aram extending from the main body. The ram includes a latch retentionsupport positioned rearward of the latch beam. The retention assistmember includes a biasing member engaging the retention assist member todrive the retention assist member in a forward biasing direction. Thelatch retention support is driven into the latch to hold the latch hookin the latching position.

In another embodiment, a plug connector is provided. The plug connectorincludes a housing having a front and a rear. The housing has a firstend and a second end opposite the first end extending between the frontand the rear. The housing has a first side and a second side oppositethe first side extending between the front and the rear. The housing hasa mating end at the front for mating with a mating connector. Thehousing has a latch pocket at the first end. The plug connector includesplug contacts held by the housing. The plug contacts are providedproximate to the mating end for mating with the mating connector. Theplug connector includes a latch received in the latch pocket and beingrotatable between a latched position and an unlatched position. Thelatch has a main body and a latch beam extending from the main body. Thelatch beam includes a latch hook configured to be received in a latchopening of the mating connector in the latched position to secure theplug connector to the mating connector. The plug connector includes aretention assist member received in the latch pocket and configured toengage the latch. The retention assist member includes a main body and aram extending from the main body. The ram includes a latch retentionsupport positioned rearward of the latch beam. The retention assistmember is slidable relative to the housing between an extended positionand a retracted position. The retention assist member includes a biasingmember engaging the retention assist member to drive the retentionassist member in a forward biasing direction to the extended position.The latch is configured to move to the unlatched position when theretention assist member is in the retracted position. The latchretention support is driven into the latch to move the latch to thelatched position when the retention assist member is moved to theextended position.

In a further embodiment, a plug connector is provided. The plugconnector includes a housing having a front and a rear. The housing hasa first end and a second end opposite the first end extending betweenthe front and the rear. The housing has a first side and a second sideopposite the first side extending between the front and the rear. Thehousing has a mating end at the front for mating with a matingconnector. The housing has a latch pocket at the first end. The plugconnector includes plug contacts held by the housing. The plug contactsare provided proximate to the mating end for mating with the matingconnector. The plug connector includes a latch received in the latchpocket and movable between a latched position and an unlatched position.The latch has a main body and a latch beam extending from the main body.The latch beam includes a rail at a proximal end extending from the mainbody. The latch beam includes a ramp extending from the rail. The latchbeam includes a latch hook at a distal end configured to be received ina latch opening of the mating connector in the latched position tosecure the plug connector to the mating connector. The plug connectorincludes a retention assist member received in the latch pocket andconfigured to engage the latch. The retention assist member includes amain body and a ram extending from the main body. The ram includes alatch retention support positioned rearward of the latch beam. Theretention assist member includes a biasing member engaging the retentionassist member to drive the retention assist member in a forward biasingdirection. The latch retention support engages the ramp of the latchbeam to drive the latch to the latching position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a connector system formed in accordance with anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective, partial sectional view of the plugconnector in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a portion of the plugconnector in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a portion of the plugconnector in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective, partial sectional view of the plugconnector in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a connector system 100 formed in accordance with anexemplary embodiment. The connector system 100 includes a plug connector102 and a receptacle connector 104. The plug connector 102 is configuredto be mated with the receptacle connector 104 at a separable matinginterface. The receptacle connector 104 defines a mating connector forthe plug connector 102.

The receptacle connector 104 includes a housing 110 holding receptaclecontacts 112 configured to be mated with the plug connector 102. Thereceptacle contacts 112 may be arranged within a cavity 114 thatreceives a portion of the plug connector 102. The housing 110 and thereceptacle contacts 112 may be terminated to a circuit board 115. Forexample, the receptacle contacts 112 may be press fit in vias in thecircuit board 115 or soldered to surface pads of the circuit board 115.In other various embodiments, the receptacle connector 104 may be acable connector terminated to an end of a cable with the receptaclecontacts 112 terminated to wires of the cable. In various embodiments,the receptacle connector 104 may have a card slot (not shown) at a frontof the housing 110 configured to receive a circuit card of the plugconnector 102. The receptacle contacts 112 may include spring beamcontacts configured to be mated with the circuit card. However, thereceptacle contacts 112 may be other types of contacts in alternativeembodiments, such as contact pads, pins, sockets, and the like. In othervarious embodiments, the housing 110 of the receptacle connector 104 mayhold a circuit card configured to be mated with the plug connector 102.For example, the receptacle contacts 112 may be contact pads on thecircuit card.

The receptacle connector 104 includes latching features 116 forlatchably securing the plug connector 102 to the receptacle connector104. In the illustrated embodiment, the latching features 116 includelatch openings 118 in the housing 110 configured to receivecomplementary latching features of the plug connector 102. The latchopenings 118 are defined by walls surrounding the latch openings 118. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the latch openings 118 are provided in thehousing 110, such as in the top wall of the housing 110. For example,the top wall of the housing 110 may be a metal sheet or plate with thelatch opening 118 stamped or cut into the top wall. The latch openings118 may be provided at other locations in alternative embodiments. In anexemplary embodiment, a portion of the plug connector 102 is loaded intothe cavity of the housing 110 to interface with the latching features116 from inside the housing 110.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective, partial sectional view of the plugconnector 102 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The plugconnector 102 includes a housing 120 holding plug contacts 122configured to be mated with corresponding receptacle contacts 112 of thereceptacle connector 104 (both shown in FIG. 1). In the illustratedembodiment, the receptacle connector 104 includes a circuit card 124configured to be plugged into the card slot of the receptacle connector104. The plug contacts 122 are contact pads at a card edge of thecircuit card 124. However, the plug contacts 122 may be other types ofcontacts in alternative embodiments, such as spring beams. In othervarious embodiments, the housing 120 of the plug connector 102 mayinclude a card slot configured to receive a circuit card of thereceptacle connector 104 and the housing 120 may hold discrete plugcontacts 122, such as spring beam contacts, for mating to the circuitcard or other types of mating contacts.

The plug connector 102 includes a cover 126 (shown in FIG. 1) configuredto be coupled to the housing 120. The cover 126 closes the housing 120,such as at the top of the housing 120. In various embodiments, the cover126 may be clipped to the housing 120. In other various embodiments, thecover 126 may be secured to the housing 120 using fasteners or othersecuring features. The cover 126 may be used to secure the circuit card124 in the housing 120. The cover 126 may be used to secure an actuator128 in the housing 120. The cover 126 may be used to secure a latch 130in the housing 120. The actuator 128 is used to unlatch the latch 130.

In an exemplary embodiment, the plug connector 102 may include cablesextending from the rear of the housing 120. The cables are electricallyconnected to corresponding plug contacts 122. For example, the cablesmay be terminated to the circuit card 124, such as by soldering.

The plug connector 102 includes the latch 130 for latchably securing theplug connector 102 to the receptacle connector 104. The latch 130 iscoupled to the housing 120. The latch 130 may be secured in the housing120 using the cover 126. For example, the cover 126 may cover a portionof the latch 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch 130 includeslatch beams 132 configured to be received in the latch openings 118(FIG. 1) of the receptacle connector 104.

The plug connector 102 includes an actuator 128 operably coupled to thelatch 130 for actuating the latch 130 to move the latch beams 132between latched positions and released positions, such as to release theplug connector 102 from the receptacle connector 104. The actuator 128may be coupled to the housing 120 and/or the cover 126. In an exemplaryembodiment, the actuator 128 includes a retention assist member 134configured to engage the latch 130 to urge the latch 130 to the latchedposition. In an exemplary embodiment, the actuator 128 includes a pulltab 136 extending from the retention assist member 134. The pull tab 136includes a finger grip 138 for pulling the pull tab 136 and theretention assist member 134 rearward for actuating the latch 130.However, in other various embodiments, the actuator 128 may includeother types of actuating features. In an exemplary embodiment, pullingthe actuator 128 rearward releases the latch 130 to allow the latch tomove to the released position. The latch 130 may be rotated from thelatched position to the released position to unload the latch 130 fromthe receptacle connector 104. Such releasing of the latch 130 eliminatesthe risk of binding of the latch 130 against the receptacle connector104, thus reducing the releasing force of the latch 130.

The housing 120 of the plug connector 102 includes a front 140 and arear 142. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 120 has a mating end144 at the front 140 for mating with the mating connector defined by thereceptacle connector 104. The plug contacts 122 may be located proximateto the front 140 for mating with the receptacle connector 104.

The housing 120 includes a first end 146 and a second end 148 oppositethe first end 146. The first and second ends 146, 148 extend between thefront 140 and the rear 142. In various orientations, the first end 146may be a top end and the second end 148 may be a bottom end; however,other orientations are possible in alternative embodiments. The latch130 and the retention assist member 134 may be provided at the first end146.

The housing 120 includes a first side 150 and a second side 152 oppositethe first side 150. The first and second sides 150, 152 extend betweenthe front 140 and the rear 142. The first and second sides 150, 152extend between the first end 146 and the second end 148. In variousembodiments, the housing 120 may be generally rectangular shaped;however, other shapes are possible in alternative embodiments.

In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 120 has a latch pocket 154 atthe first end 146. The latch pocket 154 may be located proximate to therear 142. The latch 130 and the retention assist member 134 are receivedin the latch pocket 154. The latch pocket 154 includes latch channels156 that receive corresponding latch beams 132 when the latch 130 is inthe latch pocket 154. Optionally, at least a portion of the cover 126(shown in FIG. 1) is received in the latch pocket 154 to secure thelatch 130 in the latch pocket 154. In an exemplary embodiment, thehousing 120 includes securing features 158 for securing the cover 126 tothe housing 120. For example, the securing features 158 may be heatstakes, interference posts, crush ribs, fasteners, and the like.

The latch 130 includes a main body 160 extending between the latch beams132. In an exemplary embodiment, the latch 130 is a stamped and formedcomponent with the main body 160 and the latch beams 132 being integralwith each other and being stamped and formed from a common sheet ofmetal. Alternatively, the main body 160 may be separately formed fromthe latch beams 132 and coupled thereto, such as being welded orfastened to the latch beams 132. The main body 160 includes a front 162and a rear 164. The main body 160 includes a first end 166 and a secondend 168 opposite the first end 166. The first and second ends 166, 168extend between the front 162 and the rear 164. In various orientations,the first end 166 may be a top end and the second end 168 may be abottom end; however, other orientations are possible in alternativeembodiments. The main body 160 includes a first side 170 and a secondside 172 opposite the first side 170. The first and second sides 170,172 extend between the front 162 and the rear 164.

The latch 130 includes return springs 180 extending from the main body160. In the illustrated embodiment, the return springs 180 extend fromthe rear 164 of the main body 160. The return springs 180 are coupled tothe housing 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the return springs 180 areprovided proximate to the first side 170 and the second side 172. Thereturn springs 180 bias the latch 130 toward the released or unlatchedposition. For example, the return springs 180 may force the latch 130downward. The return springs 180 may be formed or bent to preload thereturn springs 180 with an internal spring bias such that the returnsprings 180 impart a downward biasing force on the latch 130, such as inthe unlatching direction. In the illustrated embodiment, two returnsprings 180 are provided, such as proximate to the first and secondsides 170, 172; however, greater or fewer return springs 180 may beprovided in alternative embodiments. In alternative embodiments, thelatch 130 may be provided without the return springs 180.

The latch 130 includes one or more pivot elements 190. The latch 130pivots at the pivot elements 190 between the latched position and theunlatched position. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot elements190 include pivot tabs. The pivot tabs are located at the first andsecond sides 170, 172 of the main body 160. The pivot tabs may bealigned with the latch beams 132. In the illustrated embodiment, thepivot elements 190 extend from the second end 168 (for example, thebottom) to engage the housing 120. For example, the pivot elements 190may be received in pockets 192 in the housing 120. The pivot element 190has a rounded pivot surface. In alternative embodiments, the pivotelement 190 may be a rod or axle extending across the latch 130, such asbetween the first and second sides 170, 172.

In an exemplary embodiment, each latch beam 132 includes a rail 200 anda latch hook 202 at a distal end of the latch beam 132. The latch beam132 may be stamped and formed with the main body 160. In the illustratedembodiment, the latch beam 132 is bent, such as at 90°, from the mainbody 160, such that the latch beam 132 is oriented in a plane that isgenerally perpendicular to the plane of the main body 160 (for example,vertical plane versus horizontal plane). The rail 200 extends forwardfrom the main body 160 of the latch 130. In an exemplary embodiment, thelatch beam 132 includes a ramp 204 between the rail 200 and the latchhook 202. In the illustrated embodiment, the rail 200 extends betweenthe main body 160 and the ramp 204 and the ramp 204 extends between therail 200 and the latch hook 202. The ramp 204 extends generally forwardand downward from the rail 200. The latch hook 202 extends generallyforward and upward from the ramp 204. The latch beam 132 may have othershapes in alternative embodiments. The latch beam 132 may have otherparts or sections in alternative embodiments. Optionally, the rail 200may be planar and define a latch plane for the latch 130. The latchplane may be a vertical latch plane. In an exemplary embodiment, thepivot element 190 extends from the rail 200. For example, the pivotelement 190 may be provided at a rear end of the rail 200.

The latch hook 202 is provided at the latching end. The latch hook 202is configured to be received in the corresponding latch opening 118 ofthe receptacle connector 104 (both shown in FIG. 1). The latch hook 202is provided at a distal end of the latch beam 132. In an exemplaryembodiment, the latch hook 202 includes a rear ramp wall 210 and a frontramp wall 212. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear ramp wall 210 isrearward facing and the front ramp wall 212 is forward facing. The rearramp wall 210 is oriented at a first angle and the front ramp wall 212is oriented at a second angle. Angling the ramp walls 210, 212 allowssliding of the latch hook 202 along the receptacle connector 104 duringunmating and mating. For example, as the plug connector 102 is matedwith the receptacle connector 104, the front ramp wall 212 engages thereceptacle housing 110 and slides along the receptacle housing 110 asthe plug connector 102 is loaded into the receptacle connector 104. Asthe front ramp wall 212 slides along the receptacle housing 110, thelatch 130 is deflected downward until the latch hook 202 is aligned withand received in the latch opening 118. When mated, the latch hook 202 iscoupled to the receptacle housing 110 in the latch opening 118 to securethe plug connector 102 to the receptacle connector 104. For example, therear ramp wall 210 faces the receptacle housing 110 and restrictsunmating of the plug connector 102 from the receptacle connector 104.However, with sufficient rearward pulling force, the latching force ofthe latch hooks 202 may be overcome and the plug connector 102 may beremoved from the receptacle connector 104. For example, as the plugconnector 102 is pulled rearward, the rear ramp wall 212 is pulledagainst the receptacle housing 110. The angle of the rear ramp wall 210allows deflection of the latch hook 202 in the unlatching direction asthe plug connector 102 is pulled rearward. The latch 130 may be releasedto the unlatched position by other processes, such as pressing downwardon the main body 160 to deflect the latch beams 132 to the unlatchedpositions.

The retention assist member 134 is received in the latch pocket 154 withthe latch 130. The retention assist member 134 may be located below thelatch 130. The retention assist member 134 is movable relative to thehousing 120 in the latch pocket 154. For example, the retention assistmember 134 may be slidable forward and rearward between an extendedposition and a retracted position. In an exemplary embodiment, theretention assist member 134 is movable to the retracted position bypulling the pull tab 136 rearward to release the retention assist member134 from the latch 130 and allow the latch 130 to move to the unlatchedposition. When the pull tab 136 is released and the retention assistmember 134 is moved to the extended position, the retention assistmember 134 presses against the latch 130, such as to hold the latch 130in the latched position. In an exemplary embodiment, the retentionassist member 134 is used to provide assistance to retain the latch 130in the latched position. For example, the retention assist member 134provides resistance to unlatching, such as resistance to movement of thelatch beams 132 in the downward, unlatching direction. The retentionforces provided by the retention assist member 134 need to be overcomeby additional rearward pulling force when trying to remove the plugconnector 102 from the receptacle connector 104.

The retention assist member 134 includes a main body 300 and rams 302extending from the main body 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the pulltab 136 extends from the main body 300. The pull tab 136 may be integralwith the main body 300. The pull tab 136 may be coupled to the main body300 in alternative embodiments. The retention assist member 134 includesone or more biasing members 304 extending between the main body 300 andthe housing 120. The biasing member 304 forward biases the retentionassist member 134 to provide retention assistance for the latch 130. Therams 302 are located behind the latch beams 132 to resist unlatching ofthe latch beams 132. In an exemplary embodiment, the retention assistmember 134 includes two rams 302 located behind the two latch beams 132.Greater or fewer rams 302 may be provided in alternative embodiments.

In an exemplary embodiment, the retention assist member 134 ismanufactured from a plastic material. For example, the retention assistmember 134 may be a molded part. The rams 302 may be integral with themain body 300, such as being molded with the main body 300.Alternatively, the rams 302 may be separately formed from the main body300 and coupled thereto, such as being welded, adhered, staked, orfastened to the main body 300. The main body 300 includes a front 312and a rear 314. The main body 300 includes a first end 316 and a secondend 318 opposite the first end 316. The first and second ends 316, 318extend between the front 312 and the rear 314. In various orientations,the first end 316 may be a top end and the second end 318 may be abottom end; however, other orientations are possible in alternativeembodiments. The main body 300 includes a first side 320 and a secondside 322 opposite the first side 320. The first and second sides 320,322 extend between the front 312 and the rear 314. In the illustratedembodiment, the rams 302 extend forward from the front 312. The rams 302are located proximate to the first and second sides 320, 322. Otherlocations are possible in alternative embodiments. In an exemplaryembodiment, the main body 300 includes channels 324 that receive thebiasing members 304.

The retention assist member 134 includes latch retention supports 330 atdistal ends of the rams 302. Each latch retention support 330 ispositioned rearward of the corresponding latch beam 132. The latchretention support 330 supports the latch beam 132 in the latchedposition, such as to resist unlatching. The latch retention support 330holds the latch beam 132 in the latched position. The forward biasingforces from the biasing members 304 is transferred to the latchretention supports 330 by the rams 302, which press the latch retentionsupports 330 into the latch beams 132. In an exemplary embodiment, thelatch retention support 330 engage the ramps 204 of the latch beams 132to urge the latch beams 132 forward and upward to the latched positions.

FIG. 3 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a portion of the plugconnector 102 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4 is aperspective, partial sectional view of a portion of the plug connector102 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 illustrates thelatch 130 in a latched position. FIG. 4 illustrates the latch 130 in anunlatched position.

The latch 130 and the retention assist member 134 are received in thelatch pocket 154. The latch beam 132 extends through the latch channel156 to the mating end 144 of the housing 110 to interface with thereceptacle connector 104 (shown in FIG. 1). The latch channel 156 issized to accommodate movement of the latch beam 132 in the latch channel156. The return spring 180 engages the housing 120 in the latch channel156 and urges the latch 130 to the latched position (FIG. 3). The latch130 is secured to the housing 120 at the pivot element 190. The pivotelement 190 is received in the pocket 192 and the latch 130 is rotatablerelative to the housing 120 at the pivot element 190. In an exemplaryembodiment, the pivot axis of the latch 130 is generally aligned withthe latching surface of the latch hook 202, which reduces the moment orforces needed to rotate and release the latch 130 to the releasedposition.

In the latched position (FIG. 3), the latching features of the latchhooks 202 extend above the first end 146 of the housing 120 forinterfacing with the receptacle connector 104. In the released position,the latch hooks 202 are rotated downward into the latch channels 156,such as below the first end 146. The latch hooks 202 may clear the firstend 146 to allow the plug connector 102 to be removed from thereceptacle connector 104. The return spring 180 holds the latch hooks202 in the elevated, latched positions. The spring force of the returnspring 180 may be overcome by pulling rearward on the plug connector102, allowing the rear ramp wall 212 to engage and slide along thereceptacle connector 104 to force the latch 130 to the unlatchedposition. In an exemplary embodiment, when the pull tab 136 is pulledrearward, the retention assist member 134 is moved rearward to relievepressure from the latch beams 132, which reduces the forces needed tounlatch the latch beams 132 from the receptacle connector 104. When thepull tab 136 is released, the biasing members 304 bias the retentionassist member 134 forward to the extended position. The latch retentionsupports 330 press against the ramps 204 of the latch beams 132 toprovide retention assistance and increase the forces needed to unlatchthe latch beams 132 from the receptacle connector 104.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective, partial sectional view of the plugconnector 102 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The latch 130,in the illustrated embodiment, does not include the return springs 180(FIG. 2). Rather, the latch 130 is returned to the latched position bythe retention assist member 134. For example, the biasing members 304push the retention assist member 134 forward, which presses the latchretention supports 330 against the ramps 204 of the latch beams 132 tomove the latch 130 to the latched position.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-describedembodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination witheach other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the inventionwithout departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials,orientations of the various components, and the number and positions ofthe various components described herein are intended to defineparameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and aremerely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modificationswithin the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those ofskill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of theinvention should, therefore, be determined with reference to theappended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and“in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respectiveterms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, theterms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels,and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written inmeans-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted basedon 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expresslyuse the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void offurther structure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plug connector comprising: a housing having afront and a rear, the housing having a first end and a second endopposite the first end extending between the front and the rear, thehousing having a first side and a second side opposite the first sideextending between the front and the rear, the housing having a matingend at the front for mating with a mating connector, the housing havinga latch pocket at the first end; plug contacts held by the housing, theplug contacts provided proximate to the mating end for mating with themating connector; a latch received in the latch pocket and movablebetween a latched position and an unlatched position, the latch having amain body and a latch beam extending from the main body, the latch beamincluding a latch hook configured to be received in a latch opening ofthe mating connector in the latched position to secure the plugconnector to the mating connector; and a retention assist memberreceived in the latch pocket and configured to engage the latch, theretention assist member including a main body and a ram extending fromthe main body, the ram including a latch retention support positionedrearward of the latch beam, the retention assist member including abiasing member engaging the retention assist member to drive theretention assist member in a forward biasing direction, the latchretention support being driven into the latch to hold the latch hook inthe latching position.
 2. The plug connector of claim 1, wherein theretention assist member is slidable relative to the housing between anextended position and a retracted position, the biasing member movingthe retention assist member from the retracted position to the extendedposition.
 3. The plug connector of claim 1, wherein the biasing memberis a coil spring compressible between the retention assist member andthe housing.
 4. The plug connector of claim 1, wherein the latchretention support presses against the latch beam to force the latch tothe latched position.
 5. The plug connector of claim 1, wherein thelatch beam includes a rail extending from the main body and a rampextending from the rail, the latch retention support engaging the rampto force the latch to the latched position.
 6. The plug connector ofclaim 5, wherein the ramp is angled transverse to the forward biasingdirection.
 7. The plug connector of claim 5, wherein the retentionassist member is slidable relative to the housing in a horizontaldirection, the ramp being angled non-perpendicular to the horizontaldirection.
 8. The plug connector of claim 1, further comprising a pulltab coupled to the retention assist member, the retention assist membermovable to a retracted position when the pull tab is pulled rearward. 9.The plug connector of claim 1, wherein the latch includes a returnspring extending between the main body of the latch and the housing, thereturn spring urging the latch to the latched position.
 10. The plugconnector of claim 1, wherein the latch beam is a first latch beam at afirst side of the main body of the latch, the latch including a secondlatch beam at a second side of the main body of the latch, the retentionassist member located rearward of the second latch beam.
 11. The plugconnector of claim 10, wherein the latch retention support is a firstlatch retention support, the retention assist member further comprisinga second ram having a second latch retention support, the second latchretention support positioned rearward of the second latch being, theretention assist member further comprising a second biasing memberaligned with the second ram.
 12. A plug connector comprising: a housinghaving a front and a rear, the housing having a first end and a secondend opposite the first end extending between the front and the rear, thehousing having a first side and a second side opposite the first sideextending between the front and the rear, the housing having a matingend at the front for mating with a mating connector, the housing havinga latch pocket at the first end; plug contacts held by the housing, theplug contacts provided proximate to the mating end for mating with themating connector; a latch received in the latch pocket and beingrotatable between a latched position and an unlatched position, thelatch having a main body and a latch beam extending from the main body,the latch beam including a latch hook configured to be received in alatch opening of the mating connector in the latched position to securethe plug connector to the mating connector; and a retention assistmember received in the latch pocket and configured to engage the latch,the retention assist member including a main body and a ram extendingfrom the main body, the ram including a latch retention supportpositioned rearward of the latch beam, the retention assist memberslidable relative to the housing between an extended position and aretracted position, the retention assist member including a biasingmember engaging the retention assist member to drive the retentionassist member in a forward biasing direction to the extended position;wherein the latch is configured to move to the unlatched position whenthe retention assist member is in the retracted position, the latchretention support being driven into the latch to move the latch to thelatched position when the retention assist member is moved to theextended position.
 13. The plug connector of claim 12, wherein the latchretention support presses against the latch beam to force the latch tothe latched position.
 14. The plug connector of claim 12, wherein thelatch beam includes a rail extending from the main body and a rampextending from the rail, the latch retention support engaging the rampto force the latch to the latched position, the ramp being angledtransverse to the latch retention support.
 15. The plug connector ofclaim 12, further comprising a pull tab coupled to the retention assistmember, the retention assist member movable to the retracted positionwhen the pull tab is pulled rearward.
 16. The plug connector of claim12, wherein the latch includes a return spring extending between themain body of the latch and the housing, the return spring urging thelatch to the latched position.
 17. The plug connector of claim 12,wherein the latch beam is a first latch beam at a first side of the mainbody of the latch, the latch including a second latch beam at a secondside of the main body of the latch, the retention assist member locatedrearward of the second latch beam, and wherein the latch retentionsupport is a first latch retention support, the retention assist memberfurther comprising a second ram having a second latch retention support,the second latch retention support positioned rearward of the secondlatch being, the retention assist member further comprising a secondbiasing member aligned with the second ram.
 18. A plug connectorcomprising: a housing having a front and a rear, the housing having afirst end and a second end opposite the first end extending between thefront and the rear, the housing having a first side and a second sideopposite the first side extending between the front and the rear, thehousing having a mating end at the front for mating with a matingconnector, the housing having a latch pocket at the first end; plugcontacts held by the housing, the plug contacts provided proximate tothe mating end for mating with the mating connector; a latch received inthe latch pocket and movable between a latched position and an unlatchedposition, the latch having a main body and a latch beam extending fromthe main body, the latch beam including a rail at a proximal endextending from the main body, the latch beam including a ramp extendingfrom the rail, the latch beam including a latch hook at a distal endconfigured to be received in a latch opening of the mating connector inthe latched position to secure the plug connector to the matingconnector; and a retention assist member received in the latch pocketand configured to engage the latch, the retention assist memberincluding a main body and a ram extending from the main body, the ramincluding a latch retention support positioned rearward of the latchbeam, the retention assist member including a biasing member engagingthe retention assist member to drive the retention assist member in aforward biasing direction, the latch retention support engaging the rampof the latch beam to drive the latch to the latching position.
 19. Theplug connector of claim 18, wherein the ramp is angled transverse to thelatch retention support.
 20. The plug connector of claim 18, furthercomprising a pull tab coupled to the retention assist member, theretention assist member movable to the retracted position when the pulltab is pulled rearward.